P-review: Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2013

It seems to be part of the human condition to want to make something that is already great and make it even better. There is nothing wrong with that, and sometimes what we thought couldn’t be improved actually gets better with a little tinkering.

In the automotive world, that usually means upgrades, or a tweaking of the original design, and in the case of Hyundai, it means giving a sportier, edgier look to their already stunning 2013 Genesis Coupe.

The newly re-designed Hyundai Genesis Coupe was unveiled at the Korea Speed Festival in front of more than 5.000 driving enthusiasts, and they couldn’t help but be impressed by the sporty new look.

The original Genesis Coupe was introduced by Hyundai in 2008, and while the re-design is definitely different, it should really be considered more of a cosmetic face-lift as opposed to a complete overhaul. The idea behind the makeover was to make the Coupe a little sportier, with a driving experience that would be both powerful and dynamic.

On the outside, the new look is highlighted by a wide-grilled front that is not only bold and sporty, but also functional as the new design enhances the cooling performance of the vehicle.

Hyundai also decide to get the LED out, on both front and rear lights, with the headlights especially adding a sleek look which, when combined with the stunning lines of the new design, enhances the sporty edge that was the overall goal of the changes.

The new look wasn’t just confined to the exterior, and a number of changes were made on the inside, as well as under the hood. The interior has been given a more high-tech feel with the addition of new materials, which are highlighted by stunning metal accents.

A standard multi-gauge was added to the centre fascia in the hopes of providing a more dynamic experience for the driver, thanks to the instant feedback it provides.

That powerful drive also comes from the upgraded engines; the Lambda 3.8L GDI and the Theta 2.0L TCI. The Lambda in particular plays a major part in the increases performance of the 2013 Genesis Coupe by directly injecting fuel into the cylinder, and combines, the two produce a maximum output of 350ps and maximum torque of 40.8kg.m, which is a marked improvement over the performance of the original Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

The more powerful engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, which adds dynamic driving performance and smoother shifting. That would ordinarily be enough to complete the sporty overhaul, but the addition of a sound generator to replace the original engine sound with something more in keeping with a sports model, really seals the deal.